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Briyah Brown stepped onto the highest medal stand inside Barton Hall and looked out at the Cornell crowd while the track announcer uttered those wonderful words, introducing her as the state and Federation champion. Yes, that was a satisfying feeling standing up there in that rare air.

The New Rochelle senior showed up for the indoor season feeling the pressure as an all-American and the reigning Federation champ outdoors in the shot put, making her the girl to beat throughout. And yet no one in the state could.

"I did cry after my last throw," Brown said. "I was very proud of myself and my ...